AMERICAN IMPRESSIONIST

Artist's Statement: I often take my paints out on location, immersing myself in the sensations of the living landscape. My location paintings and sketches are visual stories I write to myself in a language of nuance, emotion and experience.

I paint in an impressionist style, with its emphasis on effects of light and atmosphere - but with a contemporary flair. I use both detailed and abstract effects in my work. This satisfies my passion for rich color, subtlety, and the emotion conveyed by beautiful, textural brushstrokes.

I’ve always been a painter—I don’t remember a time when I didn’t have a brush or a pencil in my hand. My greatest satisfaction and joy in life comes from my family and from the great passion I have for painting. To see and translate into paint the great beauty all around us is truly a privilege.

About Laura

Laura Reilly was born in Plattsburg, New York, to a military family. She spent her childhood living and traveling in the American Southwest, England and Europe. Laura’s natural artistic gift and early exposure to the worlds’ rich historic and artistic heritage set her on an early path to a career as a professional artist.

In 1981, she married Jack Reilly, master welder and metal sculptor, and settled in Colorado Springs. Laura continued to pursue her passion to paint while raising her two young sons, Jesse Arlen and Jack Morgan Reilly, and working full-time first as an accountant, then as a District Court Clerk. Painting at night and on weekends, and around work and children’s schedules, Laura built a stellar reputation as a Leading American Impressionist Painter.

Laura has been a full-time professional artist since 1998. Several prestigious galleries represent her work.

Her beautiful, one-of-a-kind original oil paintings appear in many private and corporate collections. She is in frequent demand as a guest artist, special juror, and guest instructor.

Professional Memberships

American Impressionists Society
Plein Air Artists of Colorado

Education
Phoenix Community College, Bemis School of Art, Colorado Springs
Master studies with noted artists Kim English, Merrill Mahaffey, Betty Braig, Tom Owen, Ray Vinella

Selected Awards and Honors

KTSC TV - 2004 - Featured Artist
Judge’s Award - International Art Show, Raton, NM
Judge’s Award - Victor Celebrates the Arts, Victor, CO
Judge’s Award - Commonwheel Labor Day Arts Festival, Manitou Springs, CO
Guest Curator - Business of Art Center, Manitou Springs, CO
Guest Juror - Colorado Springs Art Guild
Invitation Cover Artist - Colorado Springs Fine Art Center, Party Arty
Founder - Pikes Peak Plein Air Painters

Selected Commissions and Collections

Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum, Colorado Springs, CO
Millenium Bank, Steamboat Springs, CO
Kaiser Permanente, Denver, CO
“The Colorado Suite” — commissioned suite of 10 paintings, Mercedes Benz of Colorado Springs
Memorial Hospital, Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum
Woodland Park Library, Woodland Park, CO
Premier Health Plaza, Colorado Springs, CO
St. Mary Land and Exploration Co., Denver, CO
Lockheed Martin, Denver, CO